Spinal disks are rubbery pads between the vertebrae, the specialized bones that make up the spinal column. Doctors call them intervertebral disks. Each disk is a flat, circular capsule about an inch in diameter and one-quarter inch thick.
Horehound candy is a dark brown hard candy with a distinctly bittersweet taste. It is commonly sold in 5 inch (12.7 cm) long sticks or lozenges, which are often sugar coated. This candy can often be found in old fashioned candy shops, living history museums, and other specialty shops.
It's amazing how much flavor there is in such a humble (and, by the way, inexpensive) dish. The star of the soup is hominy, with its chewy texture and toasty-corn character; you'll find it with the Latin foods in the supermarket. Updates were minor: We simply omitted some oil and meat drippings for a cleaner broth.